Hurley Among Key Bombers In Line To Return

Essendon trio nearing return

Rejuvenated Essendon could welcome back a host of key players for their crunch clash with Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium on Saturday.

Both sides are in a dogfight to keep their seasons alive with GWS (4-4-1) and Essendon (3-6) 11th and 14th on the ladder respectively heading into round 10.

And while the Giants look set to recall star players Josh Kelly (groin) and Phil Davis (concussion), the Bombers could be boosted as well with coach John Worsfold saying that Michael Hurley (hamstring), Andrew McGrath (calf) and David Myers (hip) are in the frame to return from injury.

"Depending on what they can manage to tick boxes in terms of their program today, they're all a chance (but) there's a protocol to go through," Worsfold told reporters on Wednesday.

After a strong performance in the VFL, midfielder Darcy Parish is also in line for a recall after he was dropped for the first time in his fledgling career following the Bombers' stunning loss to previously winless Carlton.

"He really responded well, we were rapt with how he went about it," said Worsfold.

"He won a lot of the footy, worked really hard, so that certainly means he's fit and available and puts his hand up for selection."

Prior to producing their best performance of the year last weekend - a 34-point thumping of Geelong - Essendon had endured a horror month with losses to Collingwood, Melbourne, Hawthorn and Carlton.

But Worsfold insisted that "the wheel is definitely turning" in the right direction for the club, despite their recent form slump.

"You don't automatically become great at something when you decide you want to be great at it," he said.

"You have to work extremely hard at it."

The former West Coast premiership captain and coach was confident that the Bombers would bring the same pressure and intent that was on show against the Cats more often from now on.

"Great learnings in the last month," Worsfold said.

"We were disappointed but we've got to learn what's missing in our game, what's missing with what we need and have that focus and work hard on bringing it all together.

"One week doesn't mean we've got everything right, we've got a lot of work to get to where we want to get to."